As I’m getting closer to my opportunity to vote, my mother’s political views still have an impact on my own. Having my mother, who I’ve looked up to all my life, explain to me how certain situations call for certain actions, has helped me gauge right from wrong. Having trust in our parents is always important while growing up, but understanding why we should is what matters.
Every family has its differences. But that doesn’t mean I don’t have the same morals as my mother overall. I understand my mother’s beliefs to the extent of knowing she will always have me and my sister’s best interests at heart.
My mother’s unique beliefs have helped me understand certain situations from a different point of view, regarding politics and controversial topics that affect our society. My mother explains her values in a way I can clearly understand without forcing her beliefs upon me. To her, having my own beliefs is very important and I have formed my own based on similar ones she has, since she opened them up to me in an understanding way.
Both my sister and I have learned and acquired knowledge about our society through our mother’s opinions. The opinions she has based on what is happening in our society have shown me that she has thought long and hard before coming up with a final opinion regarding the topic. I have formed many of my own values based on hers, since my mother’s views make the most sense to me. By giving me the freedom to make my own decisions regarding politics and other morals, my mother’s views have had an impact on my own.
In some situations, we do not share the same beliefs, but I believe this is because we have experienced certain circumstances differently, causing us to form unique opinions. Although it may be different for others, my mother’s views have helped guide me to find my own. As I have gotten older, I have realized that her views and the reasoning she gives helped shape my own, and I will always be grateful for this.

Growing up in a politically active household, my parents instilled in me the importance of being informed and educated. My political views are entirely due to my own independent research from multiple sites, rather than based on my parents’ beliefs.
When I was younger, I was encouraged to not think for myself, but to think what my parents thought, and that wasn’t something I could live by. With the attempt to push their beliefs on me, they ended up only pushing me further away from what they believed. By the time I was old enough to have my own opinion, we were already disagreeing.
Where I am now, as a teenager finding my path, I’m making political or daily decisions on my own. The recent war between Israel and Palestine had my family discuss and disagree on many things. My parents listen to the news, and I research independent websites. Researching different views, I came to my conclusions. We ultimately have separate thoughts on many matters. Although we are still split about many ideas, my family is still close and, if anything, it gives us a talking point to help better our understanding of each other.
While I understand many young children, and even teenagers, follow their parent’s beliefs, I refuse to do so. Doing your research is important for everybody as it allows a deeper understanding of the world and both sides of the story. Detaching yourself from how your parents think makes you independently grow on your own and learn how to understand the diversity you will come across throughout life. It’s valuable to not let your parents shape your beliefs and for you to always think for yourself, making you stronger and independent.
I can understand how some may say that parents’ beliefs give you a basis to build off of, and it is okay if you and your parents happen to view something the same. The takeaway I have is that it is important to think for yourself and believe what you choose is right; “to each their own,” as some may say.